Somebody call the B-team! Three reserve friendlies that worked out for England... and three that didn't

As England prepare to host Ghana in a
much-derided friendly match at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday night,
Sportsmail looks back at three reserve friendlies that worked, and
three that didn't...

Three that worked...

Brazil 0 England 2 Maracana, Rio de Janeiro, June 10, 1984

Having failed to qualify for the European Championship, Bobby Robson took a half-strength side on a tour of South America. For the match against Brazil he picked international novices in Mark Chamberlain, Mike Duxbury and Mark Hateley, and little was expected.

On the ball: John Barnes starred for England in the memorable win over Brazil in Rio

But THAT John Barnes wonder goal and a second-half Hateley header condemned the Samba superstars to their first defeat at the Maracana for 16 years.

England 3 Spain 0 Villa Park, February 28, 2001

Sven Goran Eriksson 's first match saw first caps for Michael Ball, Gavin McCann and Chris Powell. Sportsmail's Jeff Powell reported: 'Eriksson took the wraps off a team which at first sight sent shivers down many an English spine, only to warm our hearts once the new man's first match got into its stride.

Germany 1 England 2 Olympic Stadium, Berlin, November 19, 2008

Before the game Fabio Capello said: 'We will do some experiments and afterwards I will know better some different players.'

Three Lions: England completed a remarkable win in Germany without the likes of Rooney and Gerrard in 2008

While Capello's English wasn't fantastic, his team were. With Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard out injured, Michael Carrick and Gareth Barry played in midfield and Gabby Agbonlahor made his debut up front. Stewart Downing shone on the left of midfield and Glen Johnson excelled at right back.

And three that didn't...

England 1 Brazil 3 Wembley, June 11, 1995

Terry Venables was experimenting during the Umbro Cup, which pitted England against Sweden, Japan and Brazil. Having picked Gary Pallister and David Unsworth as centre backs in the two opening games, the manager opted for John Scales and Colin Cooper against the World Cup holders. The Brazilians ended Venables' unbeaten run.

Hungary 1 England 1 Nepstadion, Budapest, April 28, 1999

Day to forget: Kevin Phillips made his debut in the drab draw in Hungary

Kevin Phillips, Wes Brown, Jamie Carragher, Michael Gray and Emile Heskey were handed debuts by Kevin Keegan, who confirmed he was taking the job on full time after a painfully dull 90 minutes.

Australia 2 England 1 SCG, Sydney, Australia, May 31, 1980

Ron Greenwood put out an experimental side against the Socceroos, with David Armstrong, Russell Osman, Alan Devonshire, Alan Sunderland and Brian Talbot winning only 23 more caps between them after this embarrassment. Frank Lampard Snr collected his second and last cap a full seven years later.